Columbus fell to 11-16-1-6 all-time against Washington (0-2-0 this season). The two clubs will meet again on Friday at Capital One Arena and close out the season series back in Columbus on Feb. 26.

The Blue Jackets fell at home for the seventh time in the last 18 contests (11-6-1).

Columbus failed to score a power play goal against Washington, finishing 0-of-3. They are 21-of-136 (15.4%) all-time against the Capitals. They moved to 7-of-26 (26.9 pct.) in the past 11 games of the campaign.

The Blue Jackets recorded 33 hits.

14 of Columbus’ 18 skaters recorded a shot on goal.

D David Savard scored his fourth goal of the season and second in the last four games.

D Seth Jones led all skaters in TOI with 27:31 and fired six shots on goal, one shy of his season-high. He also recorded four hits and blocked three shots.

C Alexander Wennberg recorded the lone assist on Savard’s goal and has 1-3-4 in his last six games.

C Brandon Dubinsky scored his fourth goal of the season, his first since returning to the lineup from injured reserve, and recorded five hits. He has 7-15-22 in 36 career games against the Capitals.

D Markus Nutivaara recorded his 14th assist of the season and LW Matt Calvert notched his 10th on Dubinsky’s third period tally.

Marc-Andre Fleury is expected to play his first game in Pittsburgh as a visiting goaltender when the Western Conference-leading Golden Knights (35-13-4, 74 points) face the Penguins (29-22-3, 61 points). A fan-favorite with the Penguins for 13 seasons, Fleury was selected first overall in the 2003 NHL Draft and won the Stanley Cup three times with Pittsburgh – including back-to-back titles in 2016 and 2017 – before joining Vegas in the expansion draft last June. Fleury, who owns a 15-4-2 record in his first 21 games with the Golden Knights (including a 2-1 win vs. PIT on Dec. 14), compiled a 223-105-33 record in 374 regular-season home games with the Penguins – including a 136-52-14 mark at PPG Paints Arena.

CLUBS JOCKEY FOR POSITION ON BOTH SIDES OF PLAYOFF PICTURE

Ten of 11 contests on tonight’s slate feature at least one club that currently holds a playoff spot or sits within two points of one:

* In the Eastern Conference, 11 teams either sit in a playoff position or are within three points of one, including a pack of five teams – all from the Metropolitan Division – separated by only three points. Overall, only 10 points separate the eight teams in the Metropolitan Division, six of whom are in action tonight: WSH, NJD, PIT, CBJ, PHI and CAR.

* In the Western Conference, 12 teams either hold a playoff spot or are within five points of one, including a group of seven teams separated by only eight points. Nine of those 12 teams are in action tonight: VGK, WPG, STL, SJS, MIN, COL, CGY, ANA and CHI.

FIRST STAR – EVGENI MALKIN, C, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Malkin led all skaters with six goals and eight points (6-2—8 in 3 GP) as the Penguins (29-22-3, 61 points) gained four of a possible six points to finish the week in third place in the Metropolitan Division. Malkin began the week by recording his 12th career regular-season hat trick, including the game-winning goal, in a 5-2 win over the San Jose Sharks Jan. 30. He followed it up with two goals and two assists in a 7-4 victory over the Washington Capitals on Feb. 2 before scoring Pittsburgh’s lone marker in a 3-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils Feb. 3. The 31-year-old Magnitogorsk, Russia, native leads all skaters in goals and points since Jan. 1 (15-9—24 in 14 GP) and sits tied for fourth among NHL scorers this season with 29-31—60 in 50 games.

SECOND STAR – HARRI SATERI, G, FLORIDA PANTHERS
Sateri went 3-0-0 with a 1.67 goals-against average and .946 save percentage to guide the Panthers (22-22-6, 50 points) to a perfect week and into a tie for fourth place in the Atlantic Division. Sateri opened the week by making 32 saves in a 4-1 victory over the New York Islanders Jan. 30 to earn his first career win. On Feb. 1, he stopped 30 shots in a 4-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres and finished the week with a 26-save performance in a 3-2 triumph over the Detroit Red Wings Feb. 3. The 28-year-old Toijala, Finland, native has appeared in seven games for Florida this season – his first NHL campaign – posting a 3-3-0 record with a 3.19 goals-against average and .908 save percentage.

THIRD STAR – REILLY SMITH, RW, VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
Smith finished second in goals and tied for third in points (4-1—5 in 4 GP) as the Golden Knights (35-13-4, 74 points) won three of four games, set a new benchmark for wins by a team in its inaugural NHL season and finished the week first overall in the Western Conference standings. Smith recorded one goal and one assist in a 4-2 victory over the Calgary Flames Jan. 30. He then notched one goal in a 3-2 overtime win over the Winnipeg Jets Feb. 1 before being held pointless in a 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild Feb. 2. Smith closed out the week with a two-goal outing in a 4-3 triumph over the Washington Capitals Feb. 4. In his seventh NHL season, the 26-year-old Toronto, Ont., native has recorded 16-25—41 in 52 games for the Golden Knights this season and ranks tied for third in the League with a plus-25 rating.

*Requested column does not include challenges initiated by Situation Room

SITUATION ROOM INITIATED CHALLENGES – 28

In the final minute of play in the third period and at any point in overtime (regular season and playoffs), Hockey Operations initiates the review of any scenario that would otherwise be subject to a Coach’s Challenge. This process has been initiated for the following teams:

NEW YORK (Feb. 4, 2018) – Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg has been suspended for three games, without pay, for interference against New York Rangers forward Jimmy Vesey during NHL Game No. 800 in Nashville on Saturday, Feb. 3, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.

The incident occurred at 9:05 of the second period.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Forsberg will forfeit $96,774.18. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.